Writers Workshops Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financial Aid

A limited amount of financial aid is available each year for both the Writers Workshops. Much of the financial aid is granted in the form of tuition waivers and scholarships, which are funded by donations from our past participants, staff and friends. Any scholarship funds awarded generally reduce the cost of tuition for the attendee. All financial aid, including scholarships, is granted on the basis of merit+need. See below for more information on specific scholarships available. Most financial aid awards are in the form of partial tuition waivers.

Requests for financial aid must be made during online application process. On the financial aid section, please indicate the minimum amount of financial aid you would need in order to attend, and whether you can attend without it. Financial aid decisions are made after admission decisions. If an applicant is accepted, but we don’t have enough aid available, we will still issue an invitation in the hope that other means of support may be found by the applicant. Likewise, if an applicant has requested a certain amount of aid, but we can’t provide the full amount, we will grant what we can.

Scholarships

Each applicant for financial aid will be considered for all our tuition waivers and general scholarships. However, a few scholarships are designated for talented writers and poets from specific populations.

To apply for financial aid, you do not have to apply for a specific scholarship. Simply indicate your need on the Writers Workshops application form.

Scholarships for the Writers Workshops for Specific Populations

Note: Please review scholarships below to see if any of these scholarships apply to you. If you feel you qualify for one or more of these, please indicate that on your Financial Aid form, which is part of the online application. If you are not awarded that particular scholarship, you will still be considered for general financial aid and other scholarships.

Alan Cheuse Memorial ScholarshipThis scholarship has been established to help writers who are Creative Writing MFA Students at George Mason University, current or recently graduated (in the past 3 years), attend the Writers Workshops. After GMU MFA status is established, qualification for the scholarship is based on financial need and the quality of work submitted.

Alexander Cushing Memorial Scholarship for LocalsThis scholarship has been established to help creative writers living within a 50-mile radius of Squaw Valley to attend the Writers Workshops. After residency, qualification for the scholarship is based on financial need and the quality of work submitted. Please refer to scholarship requirements: [2018 Alexander Cushing Memorial Scholarship for Locals.]

The Ancinas ScholarshipThis scholarship is funded by the Ancinas Family, who are longtime board members and supporters of the Community of Writers, and residents of the valley. The scholarship will be awarded to a writer or writers of Latino/Latina/Latinx or Hispanic heritage who request financial aid. Please refer to scholarship requirements: 2018 The Ancinas Scholarship.

The James D. Houston Memorial ScholarshipFunded by donations from alumni, staff, and friends of the Community of Writers, this scholarship will be awarded to a writer or writers of Asian heritage (of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands)to honor his memory. James D. Houston was a celebrated author and a longtime staff member at the Community of Writers. Please refer to scholarship requirements: [2018 The Houston Scholarship.]

The Erica Landis Memorial ScholarshipThis scholarship is provided to honor the memory of Erica Landis. The scholarship will cover tuition and shared housing, and will be awarded to an African American writer. Please refer to scholarship requirements.

The Maat ScholarshipsFunded by donations from alumni, staff, and friends of the Community of Writers, this scholarship will be awarded to writers of color.

Other Honorary Scholarships for the Writers Workshops

Below are other Writers Workshops merit+need-based scholarships which may be awarded in 2017. We thank our friends and donors who make these scholarships possible.

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Testimonials

Every day during the Poetry week, I risked something, and every day my poems opened into something I didn't know was possible. The most important thing is that they were not only creative risks, but deep, emotional ones as well.